PCIDSS may sound just like a load of letters, but is an important issue for your small business if you process credit cards. Neil Lathwood, IT Director at UKFast, global hosting provider explains some simple steps so you can check that you are meeting the right requirements. Read the rest of this entry »
Security for Small Online Merchants is a Big Deal
September 2nd, 2010How to Make Money Online: BannerAds
September 1st, 2010Three Great Business Beliefs
September 1st, 2010
One of the key things you need when starting up a new business is a set of great beliefs. Here are three powerful beliefs held by people who are hugely successful. How about trying them on for size, and notice the difference they make to your life? Read the rest of this entry »
Kick Start Your Mumpreneur Business this Autumn
August 31st, 2010
Did you know The Mumpreneur Guide’s Start Your own Business Book is now available as an e-book for just £9 – buy it now and you will get a link sent through to your inbox so you can use the book to develop your business straight away. www.themumpreneurguide.co.uk
“I have started my own business already as a writer and I run a busy blog. I thought Antonia’s book may be a bit basic for me but NO! It was truly fab. I have read stories of other successful inspiring women and feel very motivated. Antonia writes simply and to the point…a delightful, helpful work book.” Becky Goddard,
Events with Antonia Chitty
August 28th, 2010
September 2010
18th September The Mumpreneur Conference
22nd September London – Blackheath SE London Mumpreneurs Lunch
October 2010
5th October The Business Mums Conference Brighton
November 2010
4th November Mum and Working Awards with Sarah Beeny
10th November Online: Big Leap Platinum Group: Members Only
Your Mumpreneur Questions Answered
August 26th, 2010Do you need business advice? Ask your questions in the comments section below and I’ll find an expert to help you and answer your question on the blog.
Top PR and marketing tips for mums with businesses
August 26th, 2010
Daryl Willcox Publishing is a company which helps small businesses raise their profile in the media. In the lastof a series of five weekly blogs, its founder and chairman Daryl Willcox gives his thoughts on ‘How to monitor results’.
5. Monitoring Results
In previous weeks we’ve talked about who your potential customers are, the importance of having a website, conducting social media campaigns and writing press releases.
But there is little point in putting in all that effort if you don’t know how effective it has been in raising your profile. Has the number of visitors to your website increased? Have you got more Facebook friends or followers on Twitter? Have you appeared in the press? Have you made more sales?
Following press coverage online has never been easier with Google Alerts, and always follow-up any press releases with a keen eye on printed publications.
On Twitter and other social sites you can use free add-on tools to create permanent searches for whatever is important to monitor.
Building an online community around your business may not have led to a sales spike but over the longer term it could mean more loyal customers. Alternatively, a good piece of press coverage may have led to more visitors to your website who then subsequently bought from you.
As the business owner, you have to be the judge of what’s been successful and what has not.
For more in-depth advice and a series of podcasts on how to begin or improve your own PR and marketing visit www.dwpub.com/smallbusiness
Event Tips: After the Event
August 25th, 2010
Follow-up! This is part of the planning process and something you need to make time for after the event. Read the rest of this entry »
Effective Websites: How should it look?
August 20th, 2010
- Business-like, fun & funky, minimalist, info-overload?
- Colours, fonts, icons, images?
- Keep in mind your target audience.
Top PR and marketing tips for mums with businesses
August 19th, 2010Daryl Willcox Publishing is a company which helps small businesses raise their profile in the media. In the fourthof a series of five weekly blogs, its founder and chairman Daryl Willcox gives his thoughts on ‘Press Releases and the Media’.
4. Press Releases and the Media
While the internet has undoubtedly made it easier for small businesses to communicate directly with potential and existing customers, there are still huge advantages to getting your company mentioned in the press.
Having established what you can offer and who your customers are, you need to decide which journalists and publications are relevant to your marketing needs. Expanding your business? You might want to get in touch with your local business press. If you think your news could be of wider interest then you could use a press release wire service to reach a wider number of journalists.
There is no point in sending out a press release unless it has real news value. Keep it succinct with a maximum of two A4 pages, although one is better, and try and tell the whole story in the first paragraph.
Journalists – no matter who they work for – are always pushed for time and appreciate to-the-point releases. Expand the story in the following paragraphs and weave in a quote from you, or maybe a customer. Don’t use attachments unless you have pictures – always paste the text in the main body of the e-mail. Always include your contact details such as a mobile number so that journalists can get back in touch if they have any further questions. Check spelling and grammar before sending it.
Next week, in our final instalment Daryl will be looking at monitoring the results of PR and marketing activity.
For more in-depth advice and a series of podcasts on how to begin or improve your own PR and marketing visit www.dwpub.com/smallbusiness
